The Killeen Police Department announced the news of Captain Marvin Taylor III’s passing on social media.
KILLEEN, Texas — Killeen Fire Department Captain Marvin Taylor III was killed early Sunday morning when he was rear-ended by a speeding vehicle, according to a press release from the City of Killeen.
Taylor left an Austin hospital at 1:05 a.m. after the birth of his fifth child, the release states. He was going to pick up his other children to bring them back to the hospital to meet their new sibling when his vehicle was hit from the rear by a speeding vehicle.
Taylor was the only person in his vehicle. An Austin Police Officer was the first to arrive at the scene and provided emergency medical care until EMS arrived. Sadly, Taylor died at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle that hit Taylor was arrested by Austin Police, the release states.
The city also included a long list of Taylor’s accomplishments.
Captain Taylor began his service with the department on July 7, 2014. He was promoted to the rank of Fire Captain on July 12, 2024, and most recently assigned to the Training Division as the Operations Training Captain. He held numerous fire certifications including Swift Water Boat Operator, Advanced Structural Firefighter, Fire Officer 1, and most recently obtaining TCFP Field Examiner. Marvin was also a member of the Texas A&M Task Force 1 Water Rescue Team, Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Wildland Team. He deployed many times with both teams to various large-scale incidents both in state and outside on Texas.
Captain Taylor’s immediate family and Killeen Fire Department family are still processing this tragic loss. We ask that all respect the family’s privacy as they navigate this challenging time. Updates regarding visitation and funeral services, as well as other ways to help the family will be communicated through a future press release. Tremendous support has already been provided by the Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, Austin-Travis County EMS Department, Travis County Star Flight, and the Travis County Medical Examiners Office. Members of the Killeen Fire Department are currently “standing watch” over Captain Taylor and will remain by his side until funeral services are complete. Captain Taylor will be brought back to the area by Fire and EMS personnel once he is released from the Medical Examiner’s Office.